Carbon Capture Surfactant for Laundry Unit Dose Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry unit dose compositions face challenges in fragrance performance, foaming characteristics, water retention, color stability, bacterial and mold resistance, sequestrant precipitation, and viscosity, which affect their physical and sensory attributes and cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A unit dose laundry treatment composition is developed using a surfactant with a C8-22 alkyl chain and 2 to 40 ethoxylate units, where at least one ethoxylate unit contains carbon captured from carbon capture processes, combined with specific fragrance components and sequestrants, to enhance fragrance retention, foaming, and water management, while improving color stability and bacterial resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surfactants with petroleum-based ethoxylate units are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fragrance performance and foaming characteristics are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source parameter of ethoxylate units from petroleum-based to carbon capture-based, which fundamentally alters the chemical composition and performance characteristics of the surfactant. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing superior fragrance performance and foaming characteristics while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established carbon capture technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining carbon capture-based ethoxylate units with specific fragrance components and sequestrants. This composite approach enhances fragrance performance and foaming characteristics through synergistic interactions between components, while the modular nature allows for cost-effective manufacturing.
2Reliability
If water content in unit dose composition is increased, then fragrance release and cleaning performance are improved, but product stability and color perception are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water content parameter to a specific range that balances fragrance release with product stability. By precisely controlling water content and adjusting other formulation parameters compensatorily, the patent achieves optimal fragrance release while maintaining color stability and preventing product degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating microenvironments within the unit dose composition where water is strategically distributed. This allows fragrance components to access water for release while limiting overall water exposure to sensitive components, thereby maintaining product stability.
3Reliability
If sequestrant concentration is increased to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but sequestrant precipitation and product clouding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces carbon capture-based ethoxylate units as intermediary substances that mediate between sequestrants and water. These ethoxylate units prevent sequestrant precipitation by providing steric stabilization and improving solubility, thereby maintaining both high cleaning efficiency and product clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system where sequestrants are combined with carbon capture-based surfactants in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the surfactant to enhance sequestrant solubility and prevent precipitation, achieving high cleaning performance without product clouding.
4Productivity
If viscosity of the composition is increased to reduce product splashing, then filling efficiency is improved, but product application and spreadability are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter by adjusting surfactant concentration and molecular weight distribution. By carefully controlling viscosity within an optimal range and compensating with other formulation adjustments, the patent achieves both efficient filling and good product spreadability during application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves improved fragrance performance, enhanced foaming and viscosity, better water retention and egress control, and increased resistance to bacterial and mold growth, leading to a more appealing and effective laundry experience.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant comprising a C8-22 alkyl chain and a mole average of from 2 to 40 ethoxylate units, at least one ethoxylate unit comprising carbon obtained from carbon capture
Implementation Method 2
Improvement in water retention/egress behaviour are also highly desirable. Water easily passes in and out of unit dose compositions depending on the atmospheric conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A unit dose laundry treatment composition comprising a surfactant comprising a C8-22 alkyl chain and a mole average of from 2 to 40 ethoxy late units, at least one ethoxy late unit comprising carbon obtained from carbon capture.